camping tips on wild animals?
Posted: February 7th, 2011 | Author: Mitch | Filed under: Camping Tips | Tags: batteries, black bear, black bear country, Campsite, warning system | 8 Comments »Hi some friends and I go camping in black bear country and I was wondering if there was any warning system I could make that would make a alarm sound or something if a black bear or other animal entered the campsite? thanks, oh also no electric so it would have to be off of batteries.
I have packed and camped in the backcountry of 18 US states and 4 Canadian provinces for over 40 years and have never had a bear come into my camp, even in areas with populations of black bear and even grizzlies. That’s because I keep a clean camp and stash my food in a bear-proof container rigged up a tree.
Truth is, the only critters that have ever caused me aggravation in camp are ground squirrels (little thieves will crawl in your pack and steel your candy bars), porcupines and raccoons, who are all major mooches. Oh, and a moose that decided to graze the bushes beside my tent and wouldn’t leave for 2 hours, trapping me inside. The small varmints are my main reason for sealing and stringing up the food.
Keep a clean camp and don’t worry about it.
I spent a week on the west coast of Vancouver island. There is no greater density of Black bears anywhere than Vancouver Island. Saw 4 just on the 45 mile drive to the trail-head. Followed well established Bear camping recommendations and did not see a single bear on the trail. Others have mentioned these, but to re-cap:
Washed tents before trip.
No food, soap, deodorant, toothpaste in the tents.
All food, soap, deodorant, toothpaste went into a food locker provided at the camp site, or a bear-bag suspended between two trees.
If it is a possibility have a large fire near your campsite, that usually acts a deterrent to wild animals of the like. As far as an actual alarm, I don’t know of anything. Just be careful to dispose of any food waste a good distance from your campsite.
You don’t need anything special, just remember a few rules.
1 – never have anything in your tent that could leave a smell … eg food (especially meat or fish)
2 – never scream or shout at a bear … they may just chase you > this won’t end well
3 – take a mobile phone with spare batteries and keep it safe for emergencies
4 – don’t keep looking over your shoulder
5 – most importantly … enjoy
I never met a black bear that I did not like.
That’s why I bring a big knife and someone sneaks in a gun, better to be safe than sorry.
Google it, I’m sure you’ll find better answers on there anyway.
Black bears are fairly harmless. I have encountered them in my campsites at least a dozen times.
Here are a few tips:
- Do not have anything in your tent with an odor. (i.e. no food, no candy, no toothpaste, no deodorant, not even mint scented dental floss.)
- Cook and eat at least 100yds from your tents.
- Store your food in a bear proof container. If you have a car nearby, you might be able to put your food in the car, although in some areas, bears will just rip the door off in order to get at the food. You are best using a bear bag suspended between two trees at least 10 feet apart and 10 feet off of the ground.
No, well maybe, there is a product on the market called Bear Bells it’s difficult if not impossible to get the bears to wear these you can try and see if it will work.
One way to keep bears outta your camp is as stated already keep a clean camp and food stored properly. Wear red flannel so that bears can see you coming, you know about the bear bells already, carry pepper spray for those close sudden encounters and be alert to your surroundings. One way to tell if your in bear country is to look for bear sign like tracks, rubbings on trees and bear poop. You will know it is bear poop because it will have red flannel, and bells in it and smell of pepper spray ;-D LOL